The Complete Commercial Photographer

Lesson 19: Page 01

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In a previous lesson we discussed the business of stock photography and the approach that successful stock photographers take to creating salable images. In this lesson we will look closer…

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This concept photo of a logger was done on a foggy morning in the mountains.  Here I negotiated with a client to keep images for stock, something I highly recommend…

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In an effort to constantly create salable stock photos, I had seen a similar photo of a phone published like this so I decided to shoot this phone concept photo…

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WHERE TO START Again ask yourself, what do you like to shoot? They used to say “Shoot what you love and the money will follow!” Not anymore. You must shoot…

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Energy concepts are another in-demand subject. Alternative energy, fossil fuels, electricity, nuclear, and more. These are easy to get as you pass by the locations. This image is old and…

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How you choose your lighting is the key to a successful stock photo.  In your indoor studio you have total control.  In your outdoor studio you deal with the light…

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When styling your models you should stay with a current look, but also a generic one as well so that you may get years in the market with those images….

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AGRICULTURE Agriculture is a very worthy subject to shoot for stock. From planting the crops to harvesting them and the lifestyle of farmers as well, this subject is popular.

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Two examples of industrial stock photos: The coal mine in Wyoming was from an assignment. You could never get access here unless you were there on assignment.  The photo of…

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SUBJECTS When you choose one of these concepts, you have a vast amount of stock photography subjects available for shooting. Take medical and the small doctor’s office as a subject…

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This clean room image was taken at a computer company for their annual report. I love the shot and it would be fabulous as a stock image, but the client…

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Your outdoor studio provides many opportunities for great stock photography in these subjects. Here are some random examples: a doctor in scrubs having a latte and sitting at a table…

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EQUIPMENT AND PROPS The photographic equipment required for Medical, Science, and Technology is the same gear you would use for other stock photo subjects mentioned in previous lessons.  If you…

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These two images of lab glassware were done in the studio, but could be done in your garage, dining room, or anywhere with a minimal amount of space.  The first…

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This image of the mouse above was somewhat difficult in keeping the mouse from reflecting in the Plexiglas.  

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These two images represent the medical concept of ‘heart’. This first image was shot in the studio with a real model.  I scanned it into Photoshop and made him a…

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For this medical image set in the studio, I hung a generic picture on the wall and placed a single mattress on sawhorse with a white bed sheet to look…

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AGENCY PHOTOGRAPHERS Here are some great photographs from agency photographers at Fogstock. These images are highly conceptual and very good stock photographs. As much as I would have liked to…

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A very graphic representation of a business concept. It appears to be posed with camera shake.

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More images easily done in the studio. Better yet; these can be done in the garage with minimal equipment. A black background with alight box on the left.

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  Transportation subjects are big sellers. Just retouch out logos.

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LAST THOUGHTS Some of the images just seen in the lesson are now outdated and there are many reasons they are still vital to this lesson. It’s the concepts they…